Mine car



May 14, 1935.

D. U. RICH MINE CAR Filed Sopi. 8, 1934 SSheets-Sheet l v@ MN ww ww Nw May 1.4? 1935.

D. U. RICH MINE CAR el Filed'sept. 8, 1934 j 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .35

l l l l llllq www@ D. U. RICH 2,001,692

MINE CAR Filed sepi. 8, 1934 3 sheets-sheets May 14, 1935.

Smal, l M S Patented May 14, 1935 l i y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE* MINE CAR Donald U. Rich, Teaneck, N. J., assignor to Anner-v ican Car and Foundry Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 8, 1934, Serial No. 743,192 Y 13 claims. (c1. 10s-364) ,v y

. This invention relates to improvements in mine Secured to the upper flanges 4 of the side sills and similar rail cars. 2 and extendinglaterally outward therefrom are Oneobject of this invention is to provide a side iioor portions iii arranged substantially horimineA car of maximum lading capacity. zontal and hence parallel to the central floor por- 5 Another object of this invention is to provide tion 8, the side oor portion I9 being formed, in 5 a mine car in which the floor or lading supportthe instance shown, integral with the side walls ing bottom thereof is arranged in a horizontal I2 of the car body. For stiffening the side walls plane below the centers ofthe car axles; the the upper edge portions thereof are provided specific embodiment shown in this application with beads I4.

having the floor arranged in a horizontal plane The body A is stiflened also by the provision of 10 entirely below the axles.' belts I6 which are secured as at I8 to the side Mine cars are generally of either rotary dump, Walls: l2 and sideV iioor portions I0 and extend end dump or drop bottom construction. A mine under the latter and also under the central iioor car of the end dump type is disclosedin this ap- DOrtiOh` 8 aS Clearly ShOV/h in Fig. 6- Y i plication but obviously the car shown is adapted Mine cars are sometimes pro-vided with through 15 for rotary dumping within the spirit oi the presaxles, that is, axles Which extend through the ent invention. side sills, stub axles, or drop axles. This ,is true Another object 0f this invention is the proof either mine cars in which the oor is above vision of a new and improved end construction the axles or in which the iloor i-sin a horizontal for the gate end 0f an end dump mine Car, plane below the axle spindles. For purposes of 20 Other objects and advantages of this invenillustration OhlY, the Car 0f the Present invention will be apparent from the following descriptiOIl iS*y 0f the thrOugh aXle type, that iS One in tion taken in conjunction with the accompanying Which the aXleS @Xtehd thrOugh the side sills. drawings, in which: The axles are shown at 20 and are arranged Figure l is a side elevation of one end portion in aXle barihg elements 22 Secured t0 the Outer 25 of the mine car of the present invention, the vSurfaces of the webs of the side sills, these axles end construction thereof being shown in section; Carrying Wheels 24.

Fig. 2 is a. sectional view through an end por- The side floor portions il!` are suitably apertion of the mine car of the present invention, tured so that the wheels project therethrough, the view being taken at thergate end of the car; and said apertures are covered by Wheel hous- 30 Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the portion of the ings 26, the longitudinal walls 28 and 30 of which car shown in Fig. 2; are inclined with respect to a vertical plane Fig. 4 is an end viewof the car of the present through the Car; the Outer lOIlgitudinal Walls 30 invention, the view being taken at the gate end dvergihg upwardly with resDeCi '00 the Side Walls of the car; I2 as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The upper por- 35 Fig. 5 is a sectional View at the inside of the tions of the wheel housings 26 are also inclined car looking toward the gate end thereof; upwardly toward the longitudinal center line of Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6 6, Fig. the car body. 3I and One end of thecar body is closed by a xed end D Fig. 7 isa fragmentary sectional view on the wall 32 connected to the end portions of the side 40 line 1 -1, Fig. 3. walls in any suitable manner'as by rivets engag- Referring now more particularly to the invening the flanged portions of either the side or tion, the mine car shown therein comprises genend walls or in any other suitable manner; it erally a body indicated at A and an underframe being conventional to connect the side and end indicated generally at B; the underframe actuwalls of a mine carin fixed relation. Theoppo- 45 ally forming a part of the lading holding body A site end portion of the car, termed the dumping as'will be more fully apparent hereinafter. end of the car, is provided with an end gate 34 'Ihe car includes spaced side sills indicated at hingedly connected by outside bail elements 36 2, said sills being substantially Z-shaped in se'cto the car body as shown at the pivots 38, see Fig.

tion, and provided with upper and lower flanges 3. The gate is suitably reinforced as is conven- 50 4 and 6 respectively. The lower flanges 6 of side tional in the art and is provided, substantially sills 2 are inturned as shown more clearly in Figs. midway between its ends, with an aperture 40 4, 5 and 6 and serve to support a central lading through which a drawbar element 46 projects.

5 bottom l8 formed of a metal plate o-r a series of The opposite end of the car is also provided with` metal plates which extend between the side sills. a drawbar 46. To stiffen the gate adjacent the aperture 40 an angle 48 is secured to the gate by suitable fasteners 50. Both the gate and the fixed end wall may be and preferably are stiffened by vertically arranged reinforcing bars 52 as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2.

The central floor portion' 8, in the instance shown, comprises a continuous metal plate, see Fig. 2. The axles 20 are arranged Ain a horizontalr plane above the lower flanges 6 of the side sills and preferably'intermediate the upper and lower flanges of said sills and hence are entirely above the central floor portion 8, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings in Awhich the axles 26 extend through or penetrate the side sills,

said axles are covered by axle housingsvindicated` at 54, the end portions of which are flanged as at 56 and are welded to the side sills as shown at 58. The housings are secured to the floor 8 Vby fasteners59. The axle housings each comprise a crown portion162which is curved on an? arc and which is joined to upwardly curved side walls 64the arcs of which do not'intersect. This is ini contradistinction to an inverted U-shaped axle housing or one inrwhich' the side walls are gradually inclined upwardly toward either end of the car body. Gradually inclining theV axle housings upwardly resultsin a construction in which at least one side thereof is in a relatively Ystraight line. This obviously reducesthe lading ca-pacity of the car as, in an end dump mine oar, the gradual upward incline of an axle housing is arranged at an angle with respect to the horizontal which corresponds to or is substantially the same as the angle of 'tilt of the car when y in end dumping position( By the provision of the axle housings shown herein in which no two points of the effective portions thereof are in the same horizontal plane, the discharge of lading when vthe car is tiltedV endwise for dumping is facilitated without .fthe corresponding llolss of lading capacity and, still further, these housings 54 are substantially uniform in cross section and thus serve as braces between the side sills.

The mine car of the present invention also includes end structures .now to' be described. The Vend structuresshown are Asubstantially identical and each thereof comprises av unitary metal member inthe form of anfelongated Z-seotion constituting a combined end sill and end deflector, said member being indicated generally at 66 and extending between the side sills 2 and having its rear edge `portion substantially horizontal as shown at r68 and overlapped by an offset end portion 1.0 of the central ladingsbottom 8. In the drawings the member 66 -is shown as being a'imitary pressing,V though this is'for illustrative purposes only and from the rear edge portion 68 the'combinedend sill and deilector member 66 slopes gradually upward in a straight line as showinv at 12 to a Vpoint'14 adjacent theV hori`V (zontal plane ofthe flanges 4 of the side sills from where the member 64 is projected vhorizontally outward as at 16 beyond the ends of the car body to overlie a wood* filler block or bumper cushioning member 18. The bumper block 18 is supported by the outwardly'projected portion 80 of an end structure base plate 82 which is sup-l ported by and secured to the end belt I6 and ex tends rearwardly under the rear edge portion 68 ofmember 66 and is secured to said portion 68 and to the Central floor portion 8-by suitable fas-V teners 86. The plate 82 is supported'by thellower flanges 6 of the side sills and the forwardly projecting portion thereof ,f in the instance shown,

is upwardly offset as clearly shown in Fig. 2,

though Vthis offset is ynot Lnecessary as will be Y obvious. Y

Suitable fasteners suchvas the bolts 88 secure the wood block 18 in position between the projected end portion of the combined end sill and end deflector member 66 and the projected portion 80 of plate82. The wood block 18 is provided `with a vertical aperture 90 which is alined with apertures in the projected portion 16 of member 66 and the offset end portion of plate 82 to receive a coupling pin 92 supported by the drawbar 46. A bumper plate 94 is provided having avertically arranged bumping faceas is conventional and upper and lower flanges 96 which project toward the lading body and respectively overlap 'and underlap the projected portion 16 of member 66 and the offset portion` 80 of plate 82. The bumper plate is connected to block 18 in any suitable or desired manner. In some instances it may be desirable to provide a construction in which the upper flange.96l does not overlap the projected end portion `of member 66 in order to yavoid a positive connection of the bumper plate with the side .sills through the medium of the member .66, in which event.- the projected portion of the member 66 may be. cutv the beforementioned aperture 40 -andis arranged in spaced relation above the bumper construction.

The plate 82serves as a supporting element for a plurality of diaphragms adapted to stiffen and brace the end construction and to serve as members to take end thrustagainst the bumper. Ad-

jacent the side sills 2 end diaphragms are indi-V cated at 98 and have their webs IM riveted as at |62 to the webs of the side sills, vas clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 7.' The diaphragms 98 have upper portions 404 which conform to the shape of the combined end sill and deflector member 66 and underlie the same and are fastened thereto as shown at |86. `The end diaphragms 98 are provid-ed with vertically arranged frontifaces 108 which serve as backing elements for the wood bumper block 18. phragms 68 are a plurality of longitudinally ar'- ranged spaced diaphragms H0 secured` to the base plate 82 rand to the combined end sill and deflector member 66 and formed to provide front surfaces kH2 against which the, wood bumper block 18 bears, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Y If deemed desirable the diaphragms which support the combined end sill and deflector member 6i may be transversely braced in any suitable man'- ner.

From the description just above it willv be .a.p parent that the mine car of the, present,V invention is adapted either for rotary or for end dumping and in the event of end dumping, the end con-` struction includes and comprises a .member which serves both as an end deflector to Vfacilitate dis` charge of lading out of the car Whenthe. latter is tilted and also as an end traction structure or end sill. It will be obvious that `the combined end sill and end deflector may be formed as a pressing or may be a casting. It is not absolutely essential that this member be wholly a unitary Intermediate the 'end' dia? member provided itA functions as a combined end vsill -and end delector element. The combined end sill and end deilector member is adapted to lreplace the usual end sill of the car as will be apelements between the side sills and end sills to thus I prevent tendency of relative longitudinal movement of the side sills, and said end structureis furtherstiiened by a plurality of longitudinallyA arranged spaced reinforcing elements. Because `of the connection of the combined end sill and end delector with the'side sills, tendency ofrelative -sidewise movement or weaving of the underframe is eliminated. In the drawings the car is shown as having substantially identical end constructions though this is not altogether essential as in end dump cars'the deilector function is only required at the dumping end of the car and it is not the intention to limit the present invention to a car in which the constructions at opposite ends of the car are identical.

While the drawings disclose a mine car having axles which penetrate the side sills it is not to be understood that the invention is limited to this particular type of car as obviously, within the spirit of the present invention, the car may be supported by stub axles and suitable axle bearings therefor such as are conventional in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In an end dump mine car, side sills, a floor secured to the lower portions of the side sills, and means for connecting the end portions of the side sills, said connecting means replacing the usual end sill and comprising a unitary metal member between and connected to the sills and connected to the iioor and formed to constitute a combined end sill and en-d deilector adapted to guide lading out of the car as the latter is tilted.

2. In an end dump mine car, side sills, a iloor secured to the lower portions of the side sills, and means for connecting the end portions of the side sills, said connecting means replacing the usual end sill and comprising a unitary pressed metal member substantially of elongated Z-shape in section arranged between and connected to the side sills and also connected to the floor, said connecting means being so formed as to constitute a combined end sill and end deflector adapted to guide lading out of the car as the latter is tilted.

3. In an end dump mine car, side sills, a floor secured to the lower portions of the si-de sills, means connecting the end portions of the side sills, said connecting means replacing the usual end sill and comprising a unitary member connected to the iloor and to the side sills and so formed as to constitute a combined end sill and end deflector adapted to guide lading out of the car as the latter is tilted, a bumper block underlying a part of said member, and bracing elements interposed between the bumper block and said member adapted to stiffen said member and formed to constitute end thrust means for said bumper block.

4. In an end dump mine car, sidey sills, a floor secured to the lower portions of the side sills, means connecting the end portions of the side sills, said connecting means replacing the usual end sill and comprising a unitary pressed metal member connected to said sills and to the floor and so formed as to constitute a combined end sill and end deilector for guiding lading out of the car as the latter is tilited, said member projecting beyond the ends of the side sills, a bumper block underlying the projected portionvof said member, a base plate secured to the floor and projecting beyond the ends of the side sills and un.- derlying the bumper block to provide. a support therefor, and bracing elements interposed bel tween the bumper block and said member and lconnected to the latter and to saidbase plate ,and

arranged in abutting relation with saidbumper block. Y ,1

5. In a mine car, the combination of side sills, axles'in a plane above the lower portions, of the side sills, a lading supporting. iloor in a plane below the axles, and a combined end deflector and end sill at one end portion of the car connected to the side sills and the floor and constituting the sole end sill member at that end of the car.

6. In a mine car, the combination of side sills, axles in a plane above the lower portions of the side sills, a lading supporting iloor in a plane below the axles, a combined end deflector and end sill at one end portion of the car connected to the side sills and the floor constituting the sole end sill member at that end of the car, and housings covering the axles and secured to the floor.

7. In an end dump mine car, the combination of side sills, a floor supported by the lower portions of the side sills, axles having their spindles in a plane above the floor, and an end structure constituting the sole end sill member at that end of the car, said structure comprising a unitary element formed to provide a combined end sill and end deflector extending between the side sills and connected thereto and to the floor, said end structure being adapted to facilitate discharge of lading from the car when the latter is tilted.

8. In an end dump mine car, side sills, a oor supported by the lower portions of the side sills, a gate at one end of the car and an end construction comprising an end sill member of elongated Z-shape in section having its lower flange connected to the floor and its upper ilange projecting beyond the gate and its web inclined'upwardly toward the gate whereby to constitute deecting means for guiding lading out of the car as the latter is tilted for end dumping, said end construction constituting the sole end sill at that end of the car.

9. In a mine car, side sills, a floor supported by the lower portions of the side sills, a gate at one end of the car, an end construction replacing the usual end sill of the car and comprising a unitary member extending between and connected to the side sills and so formed as to constitute a combined end sill and lading deector, longitudinally arranged braces underlying and connected to said member, a base plate secured to said member and supporting said braces, said plate and member projecting in spaced relation beyond the gate, and a cushioning element interposed between said plate and member and bearing against said braces.

l0. Ina mine car, side sills, a floor secured to the lower portions of the side sills and having a portion thereof at one end of the car sloping upwardly and projecting beyond the side sills whereby to provide a combined end sill and deflector means for guiding lading out of the car bumper biocknhuts.

1.1. Inan eirdjdumpA mineA conside sills, a lading supporting oor lsecured tn the side siils, and Shavingv atleast one end portion thereof formed Vto.p1'ovv:uie-ia, transverse. end strnctln'e extending betweenr the side sills ,at theirl emiY portions and constituting a, combined end deector and end sill, said portion being end sill Ir the .corresponding end of the car and being adapted towguide lading out of the car when the car is til-ced for end dumping.

12. 'In an end dump mine cer, side sills, and a liioor securedfto and connecting the zside `anilla .end

having a portion `thereof at the dumping end of the car upwardly inclined to povide zstiiaivxlimz` Y deecting element, said upwardly-inclinediloor portion replacing the usual end sill o1' a car.

' 13. .In an end dump mine car, side sills, a y:Emir secured to and connecting the side ,si-11s andhwinga portion thereof at the dumping` end of the car 'upwardly yinclined w provide a, lading ecting element, Ysaid upwardly inclined portion 'l'.

constituting the Vsole end sill element at of the car, and bracing `means for said deflecting element underlying and secured thereto` Y i v DONAIDgU. RICH.; 

